Ta' ovala kie Tonga
Maker
Saane Poomane
Production date
1971
Description
Whenever a Tongan citizen visits the home of a chief or goes about where he may be in the presence of chiefs, he lies a mat around his waist as a sign of respect. The King of Tonga himself wears a ta'ovala. At funerals the waist mats are made from large and ragged pieces of old mats; at weddings they are made from the finest, softest weaving and are decorated with coloured wool and feathers.
A waist mat made from the most highly prized of all pandanus leaves (kie tonga). Such a waist mat is worn at weddings, birthdays and festive occasions. Usually decorated with designs embroidered in coloured wools and hen feathers dyed red.
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Object detail
505mm - Length
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